Zardari fires another salvo at Nawaz

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan People’s Party on Tuesday, in a major blow to the PML-N government, apparently joined hands with Imran Khan for recounting in four constituencies, saying, “Heavens will not fall down if the demand is accepted.”Former president Asif Ali Zardari, in a surprising move, expressed dismay over the continued rejection of the demand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) by the PML-N government for recounting of votes in four constituencies of Lahore.“Recounting of votes in the constituencies where there are complaints and demands voiced for it should be carried out whether such constituencies are in Punjab or Sindh or elsewhere,” said PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari as quoted by his spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar.Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) which is creating ripples in political arena by giving unexpected statements has shocked the ruling clique (PML-N) for putting weight behind Imran Khan’s demand for recounting in four constituencies. Only a day before, Zardari blasted the government the way it was handling the issue of IDPs.The spokesperson said that Zardari had made these remarks feeling anguished about the deepening controversy over recounting in four constituencies in Lahore and wondered why the prime minister felt so nervous about it.“Recounting in 40 constituencies may be carried out, if needed, instead of the four as demanded at present,” he said, quoting the PPP co-chairman. The former president also went on to say that people had elected Nawaz Sharif as the prime minister of the country and not as an absolute monarch or to interfere in the affairs of the provinces. Zardari said the PPP had accepted the poll results for the sake of democracy and democratic process. “It cannot abandon the people who are undergoing unimaginable hardships compounded by loadshedding and water shortages in the sweltering heat and the crisis in the industrial sector due to continued loadshedding,” said Zardari, apparently encouraging Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for his “Azadi March” on 14 August. Meanwhile, political observers said that though PPP had for the first time expressed its support for recounting in four constituencies, it had not announced to fully participate in PTI’s rally.Though the major opposition party (PPP), after the results of the general elections, raised objections over rigging in polls, Zardari’s statement at this juncture has created much confusion for PML-N, they analysed.Zardari’s statement was much welcomed in the PTI ranks. They hoped the major opposition party would soon provide another cushion to PTI in the shape of sending bigwigs to “Azadi March”.Sources said the PPP leadership was in touch with the PTI leadership through backdoor channels and had not turned down in clear tone an offer of launching a joint political campaign against the government.It was quite surprising that a day before the PPP co-chairman’s statement apparently in favour of PTI, PPP senior leader and Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Syed Khursheed Shah, had announced he would convince PTI chief Imran Khan and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to avoid conflict as it could be dangerous for the democratic system. It is relevant to mention here that Zardari had recently said that if PPP leaders, including Yousuf Raza Gilani, Amin Faheem and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, were penalised in any alleged corruption case, it would be tantamount to political vengeance which could be dangerous.

This news was published in The Nation newspaper. Read complete newspaper of 16-Jul-2014 here.